Heroes of Tuskegee

Tuskegee Airmen receive medals from Congress

• PRINT
• EMAIL

President George W. Bush presents the Congressional Gold Medal to Dr. Roscoe Brown Jr., during ceremonies honoring the Tuskegee Airmen Thursday, March 29, 2007, at the U.S. Capitol. (Photo: Eric Draper)

March 30, 2007

The U.S. Congress and President George W. Bush honored the Tuskegee Airmen on Thursday with the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest award that Congress gives to heroes who are not in the military. The Tuskegee Airmen were African-American men who joined the Air Force during World War II and flew fighter jets in Europe. While fighting the prejudice and horrors of Adolf Hitler’s Nazi regime in Europe, they also had to fight racism back home.

“They were fighting two wars,” said President George W. Bush. “One was in Europe and the other took place in the hearts and minds of our citizens.”

In the 1940s, blacks and whites were segregated, or kept separate in public places. The military’s policy was the same—blacks could not fight alongside whites.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt set up a training program for black men at an Air Force base in Tuskegee, Alabama. They learned to maintain their aircraft and fly combat missions. The group of men—almost 1,000—received no honors from the U.S. government, despite their courageous efforts. On Thursday, Congress finally gave them the credit many believe they deserve.

“The Tuskegee Airmen left a segregated country to fight in a war, and unfortunately returned to one that was still segregated,” said Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. “Though Hitler was defeated, prejudice was not . . . Today we are trying to right that wrong.”

For the most part, the remaining members of the Tuskegee Airmen were overjoyed with their honor.

“It's never too late for your country to say that you’ve done a great job for us,” said Elmer D. Jones, 89, who served as a maintenance officer during the war.

U.S. Representative James E. Clyburn, Democrat of South Carolina, the highest-ranking African-American member of Congress, said that by recognizing the Tuskegee fighters, the nation was helping to heal some of the wounds of racism.

“People are now beginning to come to grips with our history,” Clyburn said. “Our history is what it is. It’s never going to change.”

The Congressional Gold Medal is awarded to civilians, or people who are not currently in the military. Only about 300 of the awards have been given out to groups or individuals since 1776, when George Washington received the first one. Leaders from the black community, including athletes, performers, intellectuals, and civil rights activists, have also received the prize. Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife, Coretta Scott King, both won the award.

The ceremony on Thursday was bittersweet for some members of the Tuskegee Airmen. Walter McCreary was shot down in 1944 and was held as a prisoner of war in Germany for nine months. He was pleased that the group earned the congressional honor but disappointed that it did not come earlier.

“It’s a recognition long overdue,” said McCreary.

The medal itself will soon be on display at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., while the individual airmen and their families will receive bronze copies.

Critical Thinking Question

Read today's news story, and then answer the following question.

Why do you think it was important for the Tuskegee Airmen to receive this special award? Explain.

Join a discussion of this question on our bulletin board.

 

Ezra Billinkoff is a contributing writer for Scholastic News Online.

New UN Leader
There is a new Secretary General at the United Nations. Ban Ki-moon (pronounced Bahn Ghi-moon), of South Korea, began his new position on Tuesday. Ban replaces Secretary General Kofi Annan, whose second term ended on December 31.

A Video Game That Teaches Battling Hunger, Not People
A Video Game That Teaches Battling Hunger, Not People

A Presidential Forum
Five Democratic presidential contenders recently met in Chicago to address the American Association of Justice, offering their opinions on a number of issues.

LESSON PLAN

Lesson Ideas to Enrich Student Inquiry into the Holocaust Offers an inquiry-based lesson on author's purpose, current events, strong vocabulary, and the role a bystander plays in conflict.